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J. MACDONALD'. BOOT TREE.

Patented June Z6, 1894.

(No Model.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 522,069. Patented June'z, 1894.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MACDONALD, on EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

Boor-TREE.

SPECIFICATION forming palt Of Letlel Patent NO. 522,069, dated J 11116 26, 1894. Application leclMarch 2, 1894. Serial No. 502,106. (No model.) Patented in England May 10, 1893, N0 9134@ To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MACDONALD, plumber, asubject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Boot-Trees, (for which I have obtained a patent in England, No. 9,340, dated May 10, 1893,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an adjustable boot tree for stretching boots. A modified form of the tree can be used for stretching shoes. And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line -Qc Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line -x Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the foot of the tree on the line :EL-.122 Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a Vertical section of a mod-ified construction of the heel portion of the boot tree. Fig. 4t is a top plan view of a stretching stud. Fig. 5 is a part sectional elevation of a modied form of the apparatus adapted for stretchin g shoes. Fig. 5 is a Vertical central section of the stud in Fig. 4a. In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification corresponding letters throughout the different views refer to corresponding parts.

The foot portion A which is preferably made of Wood is divided longitudinally into two parts A', A2, which are normally held close together by two plate springs a2, One of these springs is, (see Fig. 1) screwed to the part A and the other is screwed to the part A2. The free ends of the springs are expanded outward (see Fig. 3) and connected, hingewise,

to a cross bar a8. The divided foot portion can, when desired, be expanded laterally by means of a flattened wedge shaped nut a. which travels on the screwed spindle a'. The wedge also travels in and is guided by grooves a4 cut in the inner sides of the parts A. A2. These grooves as Shown at Fig. 3 are tapered or narrowed toward the toe so that as the wedge-nut a travels downward the foot is expanded laterally. The lower end of the screwed spindle is pivoted in a cross bar a5 the ends of whichenter loosely into holes a made in each part A' A2. The screwed spindle is operated by the long handle a7 which is connected to the spindle by the universal joint as. Y

As will be seen at Figs. 1l and 2 the heel and ankle portion B whichiis preferably made of sheet metal is hollow and divided into two parts B D. The part B which lits telescopically within the part D is capable of being thrust out, and drawn in, by means of the screwed spindleb which has a right and left handed screwed thread on it and is turned by the handle b5. The lower end of the spindle is pivoted inthe cross bar a3 which latter, at its outer ends, see Fig. 2, is secured to the sides of the part D. Fitted on the spindle b are two nuts b, b which are connectedy Y to the double set of crossed levers b2, b3. These levers are pinned at b4, h4 to lugs on a bar bl Secured to the inside of the heel. The levers bhave guide slots c2 in them through which vpins c3 on the levers h3 project.

As willbe seen the foot portion A is separate from the heel portion B and the latter can, by turning it on the hinge formed by the springsa2 and `bar a3, be straightened out or bent backto facilitate theinsertion of the tree within the boot.

The back of the part D is indicated by the dotted line at D and the front of the part B is made as Shown at Fig. 1 with swells B2 which litA telescopically within the part D.

In order to enable the boot to be stretched solas to allow for corns, bunions and the like, I provide a number of india-rubber or other studs F. having spring Shanks e (see Figs. 4 and 5a). At the part where it is desired to stretch the boot one of the studs is inserted' into one of the series of holes, see dotted lines at E Fig. l, made in the outsides of the parts A', A2. If desired the part A', A2, may be made with two, three or more series of holes F through which laces are passed for the purpose of giving the operatormore control over the boot tree. With this construction of boot tree byI operating the handle al' the foot part can be widened out or contracted as desired and by operating the handle b5 the heel part can be lengthened or shortened at'will, so as to suit different sizes of boots. l

AS the heel part 'is made of sheet metal and is hollow, free ventilation of the boot is IOO permitted. If desired the foot part may be made of stamped sheet or cast metal and it may be operated outward and inward by a mechanical arrangement somewhat similar to that shown for operating the heel portion B.

In Fignl the heel portion is shown as made of wood and the parts D,B are operated in a manner similar to that shown at Fig. 1 for operating the foot portion c'. e. by means of a screwed spindle and a wedge-nut. In this case the spindle Ghas a handle G at its upper end and a attened wedge shaped nut I-I which travels up and down the spindle and in the tapered grooves I, I made in the parts D, B'. These parts are normally kept in f with two of its sections, crossed levers b2b" j tted therein, screw spindle b with suitable E handle, and traveling nuts b, b connected to said levers and working on the spindle, subcontact by a bent plate spring .I and the lower end of the spindle is pivoted in a loosely litted cross bar K. The part B is provided, in this case, with two plates L, one on each side (see dotted lines Figa) which as the part B is operated slide telescopically on the part D. The springs a2 are in this case pinned to the part D. M is a recess made in the part D for the universal joint a8. If desired with this arrangement two wedge nuts may be fitted on the spindle G one above the other for the purpose of giving a uniform movement throughoutits length to the part B'.

In Fig. 5 a modified form of the apparatus suitable for stretching shoes is shown, the construction and action of the foot portion is the same as that shown at Fig. l and of the heel portion as that shown at Fig. 4. In this case, of course, the heel portion is shorter and the screwed spindle a is extended up through the heel portion and is provided with a handle at its upper end. If desired two or more traveling wedges a may be fitted on the spin die ct Fig. 1.

The boot trees can be made of various sizes and in pairs, consisting of a right and left, so as to fit various sizes of boots and shoes.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Aboot tree divided longitudinally, and also divided crosswise the sections being joined together by springs extending along the outer surfaces of the boot tree, and means for varying the relative positions of such sections, substantially as set forth.

2. In a sectional boot tree comprising three or more sections, yielding connections uniting such sections, a spindle with a traveling wedge for varying the distance between two of the sections, a suitable handle portion connected therewith and extending outside of the boot tree, and a universal joint connecting spindle and handle portion,substantially as set forth.

3. In a sectional boot tree, in combination stantially as set forth.

4. In a sectional boot tree, in combination with its sections, means for varying their relative positions, and pivoted plate springs yield ingly uniting such sections, substantially as set forth.

5. In a sectional boot tree, in combination with its sections, means for varying their relative positions, and eyes or lace holes provided in such sections, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination the divided foot portion A, A made with grooves a, screwspindle a and traveling wedge a working in the grooves, hollow divided heel part B, crossed levers b2, b3 tted therein, screw spindle b and traveling nuts b connected to said levers and working on the spindle, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown. g

Signed at Glasgow, Scotland, this 19th day of December, A. D. 1893.

JAMES MACDONALD.

Witnesses H. D. FITZPATRICK,

Patent Agent. WILLIAM FLEMING,

Draftsman. 

